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Brothers of Paradise #1
Dark Eyed Devil
They say everyone deserves a second chance… but I won't risk my heart again. Not even for Hayden Cole, the only boy who ever broke mine.
Hayden Cole was my brother's best friend and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Broken smiles, dark hair, and eyes that had seen far too much for his age.
We spent a summer together in secret. In the darkness, in the silence, our hearts spoke the same language. Until he left without a word and tore mine right out of my chest.
Ten years later, he returns from the Navy, demanding a second chance. He's every inch the rogue I remember—crooked smiles and dark eyes—but now he's a man grown. Tall and broad and persistent.
I see him everywhere I turn in our small town. Spending time with my brothers, repairing my broken fence, and looking at me with eyes that speak of our past.
But I'm going to stay far away this time.
Even if Hayden makes it hard to remember exactly why…
Dark Eyed Devil is book one in the standalone series Brothers of Paradise.
Hayden Cole was my brother's best friend and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Broken smiles, dark hair, and eyes that had seen far too much for his age.
We spent a summer together in secret. In the darkness, in the silence, our hearts spoke the same language. Until he left without a word and tore mine right out of my chest.
Ten years later, he returns from the Navy, demanding a second chance. He's every inch the rogue I remember—crooked smiles and dark eyes—but now he's a man grown. Tall and broad and persistent.
I see him everywhere I turn in our small town. Spending time with my brothers, repairing my broken fence, and looking at me with eyes that speak of our past.
But I'm going to stay far away this time.
Even if Hayden makes it hard to remember exactly why…
Dark Eyed Devil is book one in the standalone series Brothers of Paradise.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 1, 2020
2820 people are currently reading
2037 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Hayle
30 books3,275 followersHi there! I'm Olivia.
I write romance with billionaire heroes (despite never having met one in person). They're strong, ambitious, they don't need love... until they meet the women who change their minds.
I love witty banter, smart heroines, big cities and perfectly tailored suits. You'll find all four in every one of my books! 💜
➡ Explore the bonus content: https://oliviahayle.com/bonus-content
➡ Visit https://oliviahayle.com
READING ORDER
You can read any of the books as standalones, because each book follows a new couple. But if you ask me? This is my personal preference...
The Connovan Chronicles
- Best Enemies Forever
- The Perfect Mistake
- One Wrong Move
New York Billionaires
- Think Outside the Boss
- Saved by the Boss
- Say Yes to the Boss
- A Ticking Time Boss
- Suite on the Boss
- 12 Days of Bossmas
Seattle Billionaires
- Billion Dollar Enemy
- Billion Dollar Beast
- Billion Dollar Catch
- Billion Dollar Fiancé
Brothers of Paradise
- Dark Eyed Devil
- Ice Cold Boss
- Red Hot Rebel
- Small Town Hero
Standalones
- Arrogant Boss
- Look But Don't Touch
- The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door
- How to Honeymoon Alone
I write romance with billionaire heroes (despite never having met one in person). They're strong, ambitious, they don't need love... until they meet the women who change their minds.
I love witty banter, smart heroines, big cities and perfectly tailored suits. You'll find all four in every one of my books! 💜
➡ Explore the bonus content: https://oliviahayle.com/bonus-content
➡ Visit https://oliviahayle.com
READING ORDER
You can read any of the books as standalones, because each book follows a new couple. But if you ask me? This is my personal preference...
The Connovan Chronicles
- Best Enemies Forever
- The Perfect Mistake
- One Wrong Move
New York Billionaires
- Think Outside the Boss
- Saved by the Boss
- Say Yes to the Boss
- A Ticking Time Boss
- Suite on the Boss
- 12 Days of Bossmas
Seattle Billionaires
- Billion Dollar Enemy
- Billion Dollar Beast
- Billion Dollar Catch
- Billion Dollar Fiancé
Brothers of Paradise
- Dark Eyed Devil
- Ice Cold Boss
- Red Hot Rebel
- Small Town Hero
Standalones
- Arrogant Boss
- Look But Don't Touch
- The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door
- How to Honeymoon Alone
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
May 7, 2020
Just ok, nothing more.
July 19, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded down because the boredom outweighed the dishy cover
A rehash of every rich girl/poor boy romance cliché ever to grace a book or tv screen, including but not limited to:
In addition to all the above, the author decided to chop up her narrative:
Flashback, present day, flashback, present day, flashback, present day, flashback…you get the idea.
She also structured their relationship the same way:
Drawn together, push away, drawn together, push away, drawn together…you get the idea.
Both characters were pleasant and sympathetic and there were some sweet moments between them, and I really liked the “loved you since we were children” trope and that the heroine’s three brothers considered the poor boy one of their brotherhood, but that only made the “brothers must not find out” panic even more incomprehensible.
I had read one book by this author and really, really liked it, but this didn’t ring any bells for me. So here we are, my fourth 2.5 star book in a row. I need triage.
A rehash of every rich girl/poor boy romance cliché ever to grace a book or tv screen, including but not limited to:
In addition to all the above, the author decided to chop up her narrative:
Flashback, present day, flashback, present day, flashback, present day, flashback…you get the idea.
She also structured their relationship the same way:
Drawn together, push away, drawn together, push away, drawn together…you get the idea.
Both characters were pleasant and sympathetic and there were some sweet moments between them, and I really liked the “loved you since we were children” trope and that the heroine’s three brothers considered the poor boy one of their brotherhood, but that only made the “brothers must not find out” panic even more incomprehensible.
I had read one book by this author and really, really liked it, but this didn’t ring any bells for me. So here we are, my fourth 2.5 star book in a row. I need triage.
July 24, 2020
Rogue was a sweetly romantic story about second chances.
Hayden Cole was once a poor kid who suffered more than most and was taken in by his beloved uncle. I loved his uncle! Used to living paycheck to paycheck and moving around a lot, Hayden gets a taste of the sweet life when his uncle gets a job with the Marchands. Not only does he get accepted as a friend-slash-brother, he finds a love interest in the little sister, Lily. He knows they have no future, but he can't stay away. Despite his self-doubt and his thoughts of being unworthy of her, he knows that Lily is his true love. And then an accident decides his fate for him.
Lily Marchand knew nothing outside of her world of privilege. She loved Hayden and couldn't understand why he wouldn't want her. Why wouldn't he give in to what she was offering? And when he did give in, she couldn't understand why he had no hope that they'd last forever. She couldn't see beyond her own hopes and dreams. So when Hayden seems to disappear without a trace, she's left broken.
Ten years later, Hayden's back and he's not going anywhere. He knows he needs to earn everyone's forgiveness and he won't be satisfied until he owns Lily's heart once more. And although she's initially hesitant to give in, to let go of all of the pain, their reunion was inevitable. Their path back to each other was sappy in the best way.
My only issue was that I didn't feel a genuine connection to the characters. I wasn't able to become truly invested in their romance and became bored for the most part. I'm not complaining about the lack of drama because I didn't think it was necessary, but I did need something more. What that something is, I don't even know. I did enjoy the author's writing and can see myself picking up another book from her in the future. I loved how supportive, patient, and understanding the characters were with one another. I would like to see what she has in store for Lily's brothers because they did add an interesting dynamic to this story. If you're a hopeless romantic who believes in second chances, you'll enjoy this story too!
Hayden Cole was once a poor kid who suffered more than most and was taken in by his beloved uncle. I loved his uncle! Used to living paycheck to paycheck and moving around a lot, Hayden gets a taste of the sweet life when his uncle gets a job with the Marchands. Not only does he get accepted as a friend-slash-brother, he finds a love interest in the little sister, Lily. He knows they have no future, but he can't stay away. Despite his self-doubt and his thoughts of being unworthy of her, he knows that Lily is his true love. And then an accident decides his fate for him.
Lily Marchand knew nothing outside of her world of privilege. She loved Hayden and couldn't understand why he wouldn't want her. Why wouldn't he give in to what she was offering? And when he did give in, she couldn't understand why he had no hope that they'd last forever. She couldn't see beyond her own hopes and dreams. So when Hayden seems to disappear without a trace, she's left broken.
Ten years later, Hayden's back and he's not going anywhere. He knows he needs to earn everyone's forgiveness and he won't be satisfied until he owns Lily's heart once more. And although she's initially hesitant to give in, to let go of all of the pain, their reunion was inevitable. Their path back to each other was sappy in the best way.
My only issue was that I didn't feel a genuine connection to the characters. I wasn't able to become truly invested in their romance and became bored for the most part. I'm not complaining about the lack of drama because I didn't think it was necessary, but I did need something more. What that something is, I don't even know. I did enjoy the author's writing and can see myself picking up another book from her in the future. I loved how supportive, patient, and understanding the characters were with one another. I would like to see what she has in store for Lily's brothers because they did add an interesting dynamic to this story. If you're a hopeless romantic who believes in second chances, you'll enjoy this story too!
April 23, 2020
My thanks to the author, publisher and BookSirens for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nature or nurture? This was a big theme in this story about star-crossed young lovers. Hayden Cole comes from "bad blood". His father is a selfish, abusive man who has hurt everyone in his life, especially his young son, Hayden.
Hayden is taken in by the Marchand family as a foster child. Young Lily Marchand has always yearned to have someone - a playmate, a friend - who belongs only to her. She finds that friend in Hayden. The two become inseparable, and a sweet romance develops between them in their teen years. Each is sure that the other is the love of their life, but circumstances intervene and Hayden tragically is made to believe that he is not worthy of Lily's love. He leaves Lily at the worst possible time - after they are both involved in a car accident and she is seriously injured. He takes her to safety, but is nowhere to be found when Lily recovers from her many injuries. (This is the part of the story that caused me to take away a star in my rating. To me, it seemed a bit over the top that Hayden is made to feel badly about the accident by her father, that he no good for Lily and is a bad influence on her. She wouldn't have been in the accident in the first place if he hadn't convinced her to come out so late at night, etc. Hayden has so little self esteem and feels so guilty about the accident (which wasn't his fault to begin with) that he decides to leave town then and there. (Gosh, I thought to myself, he loved her so much, but didn't wait around until he could make sure she was fully recovered and explain things to her? How can you love someone and at least make sure she understood why he had to leave and why they couldn't be together. Surely he must have known his leaving so abruptly would break her heart? The author tried to make the need for Hayden's departure plausible, but no, sorry, I wasn't buying it. But I guess there had to be some excuse for him to leave, right?)
Ten years pass. Each young lover cannot forget the other. In the end, Hayden just can't stay away anymore: it is physically and emotionally painful for him and he will do anything to get her back. And by now, he has"made something of himself." (This part bothered me: are you only a good, worthy person because of the size of your bank account? Is true success and personal growth measured solely by dollar figures? This always irritates me about these "billionaire hero" romances that are so popular. I tend to prefer realism over pie in the sky fantasy.)
Anyway, back to this story: Lily gives Hayden a hard time when he returns to town, because of course she believes the worst of the him, but, ultimately, their love cannot be denied. Hayden's total devotion to the Lily was very touching.
This intense, sweet story got my spirits up. I needed a little pick me up after all the dire events of this past month. And good news for those of you who like series: the Marchand and Cole siblings will have their own tales to tell soon.
I rate this a 3.8 out of 5.
Nature or nurture? This was a big theme in this story about star-crossed young lovers. Hayden Cole comes from "bad blood". His father is a selfish, abusive man who has hurt everyone in his life, especially his young son, Hayden.
Hayden is taken in by the Marchand family as a foster child. Young Lily Marchand has always yearned to have someone - a playmate, a friend - who belongs only to her. She finds that friend in Hayden. The two become inseparable, and a sweet romance develops between them in their teen years. Each is sure that the other is the love of their life, but circumstances intervene and Hayden tragically is made to believe that he is not worthy of Lily's love. He leaves Lily at the worst possible time - after they are both involved in a car accident and she is seriously injured. He takes her to safety, but is nowhere to be found when Lily recovers from her many injuries. (This is the part of the story that caused me to take away a star in my rating. To me, it seemed a bit over the top that Hayden is made to feel badly about the accident by her father, that he no good for Lily and is a bad influence on her. She wouldn't have been in the accident in the first place if he hadn't convinced her to come out so late at night, etc. Hayden has so little self esteem and feels so guilty about the accident (which wasn't his fault to begin with) that he decides to leave town then and there. (Gosh, I thought to myself, he loved her so much, but didn't wait around until he could make sure she was fully recovered and explain things to her? How can you love someone and at least make sure she understood why he had to leave and why they couldn't be together. Surely he must have known his leaving so abruptly would break her heart? The author tried to make the need for Hayden's departure plausible, but no, sorry, I wasn't buying it. But I guess there had to be some excuse for him to leave, right?)
Ten years pass. Each young lover cannot forget the other. In the end, Hayden just can't stay away anymore: it is physically and emotionally painful for him and he will do anything to get her back. And by now, he has"made something of himself." (This part bothered me: are you only a good, worthy person because of the size of your bank account? Is true success and personal growth measured solely by dollar figures? This always irritates me about these "billionaire hero" romances that are so popular. I tend to prefer realism over pie in the sky fantasy.)
Anyway, back to this story: Lily gives Hayden a hard time when he returns to town, because of course she believes the worst of the him, but, ultimately, their love cannot be denied. Hayden's total devotion to the Lily was very touching.
This intense, sweet story got my spirits up. I needed a little pick me up after all the dire events of this past month. And good news for those of you who like series: the Marchand and Cole siblings will have their own tales to tell soon.
I rate this a 3.8 out of 5.
April 26, 2020
For more of my reviews, visit LaraBabbles Book Blog
Rogue is a standalone novel by Olivia Hayley and it is absolutely amazing. I was very much intrigued by the blurb of the book but it was the cover that sold me. Turns out, judging the book by it's cover isn't so bad.
This is a story of heartbreak and second chance love.
Hayden Cole is a poor kid who comes to live in Paradise Shores with his Uncle Gary, who has scored a job with the Marchands, a rich family residing there.
He is immediately befriended by Lily Marchand, the youngest Marchand kid. As they grow up together through their teenage years, a mutual crush starts developing between them. Through first kisses and foreign feelings, both Lily and Hayden fancy themselves in love with the other.
It was very refreshing to read about their budding childhood love.
But before ther feeings could blossom into something more, it is nipped at the bud stage.
Lily and Hayden get into a car accident, which leaves Lily gravely injured. Enter the devil (all puns intended) who convinces Hayden that the pitiful state of Lily was a result of his bad, company.
As a result, Hayden leaves Paradise Shores and Lily who is heartbroken to find him gone at such a sensitive point of her life.
He's back now, ten years later, a different person from the 18 year old boy he was. And now, he can no more deny his love for her.
I loved the dynamics of their relationship even though the chemistry was off at times. The plot was good and the writing was commendable.
All in all, I enjoyed my time with this book.
* ARC provided generously by the author*
May 5, 2020
A new-to-me author with the first installment in her Paradise Shores Series.
A second chance love story for Lily and Hayden. She’s the daughter of the rich man who owns the manor. Hayden’s uncle and guardian, Gary, has been hired as the groundskeeper for the manor.
The story is told in past and present tenses and begins when Hayden is 11 years old and Lily is 10 years old. Lily and her three older brothers befriend Hayden. But with all such tropes, social differences always come with a truckload of problems. And as time goes by and friendship becomes more between Hayden and Lily. And, of course, this doesn't set well with others.
As high school graduation is drawing near, the bottom starts to fall out of a “meant to be love story.” Secrets and lies that you can easily predict split the two apart, Hayden takes off for places unknown, and it’s a decade later before he returns to Paradise Shores with only one thing on his mind -- the girl he left behind.
Although this book isn’t much different from so many others, and I’ve read three that were very similar in the last two weeks, it is well-written with some interesting characters who I’m sure will get their own stories told in later installments to this new series.
So, nothing really new, fresh or particularly outstanding – not even a hint of surprise – other than changes in names and places. I must be a glutton for the same old because I finished even though I wasn't wowed.
A second chance love story for Lily and Hayden. She’s the daughter of the rich man who owns the manor. Hayden’s uncle and guardian, Gary, has been hired as the groundskeeper for the manor.
The story is told in past and present tenses and begins when Hayden is 11 years old and Lily is 10 years old. Lily and her three older brothers befriend Hayden. But with all such tropes, social differences always come with a truckload of problems. And as time goes by and friendship becomes more between Hayden and Lily. And, of course, this doesn't set well with others.
As high school graduation is drawing near, the bottom starts to fall out of a “meant to be love story.” Secrets and lies that you can easily predict split the two apart, Hayden takes off for places unknown, and it’s a decade later before he returns to Paradise Shores with only one thing on his mind -- the girl he left behind.
Although this book isn’t much different from so many others, and I’ve read three that were very similar in the last two weeks, it is well-written with some interesting characters who I’m sure will get their own stories told in later installments to this new series.
So, nothing really new, fresh or particularly outstanding – not even a hint of surprise – other than changes in names and places. I must be a glutton for the same old because I finished even though I wasn't wowed.
May 14, 2020
This felt a lot like reading a different version of the Notebook. It was a great non-linear, only for a bit, slow burn romance. It was about second chances. It was about family and deep rooted relationships.
I really liked this story. It was fast-paced. I am looking forward to the continuation of the series for the Brothers stories. Thank you Booksirens for an opportunity to read this in advance for honest feedback.
I really liked this story. It was fast-paced. I am looking forward to the continuation of the series for the Brothers stories. Thank you Booksirens for an opportunity to read this in advance for honest feedback.
August 8, 2024
Okay-ish... There are better second chance romances and reading this really did nothing for me, sorry
October 1, 2020
A sweet story of two people Lily Marchand and Hayden Cole from different sides of the track who eventually fall in love.
Hayden Cole after losing his mother and suffering in the hands of his drunken abusive father, is rescue by his uncle, when he takes his guardianship. His uncle tries to provide for them but for months they live from paycheck to paycheck... When a new job as gardener at the rich Marchand Estate is offered, they relocated to the small house in the garden.
Lily Marchand is the younger of three boys, she is sweet and sensitive. They go to the same school and very soon they become friends. They grew together and develop feeling to each other, they fall in love...
After a traffic accident when Lily almost lost her life, Hayden disappears...
I love the chemistry, I really like Hayden even in his awkwardness to approach Lily.
Hayden Cole after losing his mother and suffering in the hands of his drunken abusive father, is rescue by his uncle, when he takes his guardianship. His uncle tries to provide for them but for months they live from paycheck to paycheck... When a new job as gardener at the rich Marchand Estate is offered, they relocated to the small house in the garden.
Lily Marchand is the younger of three boys, she is sweet and sensitive. They go to the same school and very soon they become friends. They grew together and develop feeling to each other, they fall in love...
After a traffic accident when Lily almost lost her life, Hayden disappears...
I love the chemistry, I really like Hayden even in his awkwardness to approach Lily.
Want to read
May 12, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/12/2022)! 🎁
July 23, 2022
Great second chance love story
This is my first book by Olivia Hayle and it definitely won’t be my last! I loved this second chance romance and the tension between the characters kept me hooked.
This is my first book by Olivia Hayle and it definitely won’t be my last! I loved this second chance romance and the tension between the characters kept me hooked.
January 8, 2021
Not sure about this one yet...
Hayden left Lily after they were in an accident.
And then he didn't get in touch for ten years only to come back, see her with another guy and be jealous right away.
And Lily? Wasn't living for ten years cause of her childhood crush.
I think I am a bit over this...
So let's go back to the time he left her. You know, him thinking he wasn't good enough for her so he didn't talk with his best friend i.e. her about his future plans... And in the present day, she finds out that he left her a letter - oh, a letter! Now of course he didn't say goodbye to her or explain himself in person BUT he left a letter - ohhhh now that changes everything right? Haha no it fucking does NOT
But ... Lily doesn't see it that way. She forgives him pretty easily and quickly, and while she still asks him from time to time if he will stay here indefinitely, showing she doesn't trust him fully, she still agrees to this new relationship between them.
And I was pretty mad and riled up about all of that...
Because yes Hayden had his reasons and he was basically driven out of there BUT he should have told her about his plans because he had made plans and she wasn't in them!! And that makes me so mad. So what, they were 18 but he just fucking LEFT!!
And then he is still such a coward when he returns. He should talk to her brothers, he should fucking fight.
And Lily and her parents? They messed with her life and I am sure she won't even be angry with them long cause why would she? They just took ten years away from her life with Hayden.
Hayden left Lily after they were in an accident.
And then he didn't get in touch for ten years only to come back, see her with another guy and be jealous right away.
And Lily? Wasn't living for ten years cause of her childhood crush.
I think I am a bit over this...
So let's go back to the time he left her. You know, him thinking he wasn't good enough for her so he didn't talk with his best friend i.e. her about his future plans... And in the present day, she finds out that he left her a letter - oh, a letter! Now of course he didn't say goodbye to her or explain himself in person BUT he left a letter - ohhhh now that changes everything right? Haha no it fucking does NOT
But ... Lily doesn't see it that way. She forgives him pretty easily and quickly, and while she still asks him from time to time if he will stay here indefinitely, showing she doesn't trust him fully, she still agrees to this new relationship between them.
And I was pretty mad and riled up about all of that...
Because yes Hayden had his reasons and he was basically driven out of there BUT he should have told her about his plans because he had made plans and she wasn't in them!! And that makes me so mad. So what, they were 18 but he just fucking LEFT!!
And then he is still such a coward when he returns. He should talk to her brothers, he should fucking fight.
And Lily and her parents? They messed with her life and I am sure she won't even be angry with them long cause why would she? They just took ten years away from her life with Hayden.
March 18, 2024
Ich mochte die Geschichte von Hayden und Lilly echt gerne. Vor allem die Rückblenden waren richtig schön, auch wenn ich manchmal das Gefühl hatte, dass Lilly auch in der Gegenwart noch recht jung und naiv rüberkam. Es kommt aber relativ schnell raus, warum Hayden vor über 10 Jahren ohne ein Wort verschwunden ist, was ich ganz gut fand. Oft wird in solchen Stories das ,große Geheimnis‘ sehr lange hingezogen, hier wurde das schnell geklärt, auch wenn man lange nicht wusste, was vorher noch passiert ist. Dadurch blieb es trotzdem interessant. Vor allem das letze Drittel hat mir gut gefallen und mich absolut erreicht und berührt. Sehr süße ,Friends-to-lovers’ & ,Second Chances’-Story für zwischendurch!!
November 7, 2022
Solider Liebesroman - ich hatte aus der Reihe ja schon Rhys Geschichte gelesen und war gespannt auf Hays und Lillys Geschichte. Ich mochte die zwei Charaktere, auch, dass die Geschichte nicht nur in der Gegenwart spielt sondern auch immer wieder Rückblenden zur Vergangenheit (und dabei unterschiedlich lang her) gemacht werden. Einzig und allein das "Problem" fand ich jetzt als Motiv schon etwas ausgelutscht und nicht so innovativ (inklusive diverser Verästelungen bzw. vorhersehbarer Plottwists dabei). Daher gibts insgesamt drei Sterne.
May 24, 2022
Sweet and romantic. Lots of angst and tension that was well smoothed over.
November 2, 2025
Hayden & Lily
November 6, 2022
ok so…
I normally love Olivia Hayle Books however this was pretty disappointing in my option because it definitely was not written like the other books she wrote. This book was confusing to read since it went back and forth from present to the pass in the beginning of this book. I honestly think it should have been written in the past at first then transfer to the present because it wouldn’t have been confusing and it would have not showed just his pass decisions it would have showed hers and the relationship they had together in the beginning and the relationship he had with her brothers more in depth then just a glimpse. tbh this wasn’t my first choice in this series to the read it actually was ice cold boss and since that next I am definitely going to read that because I really want to but other then that I would not recommend this book because wasn’t what I was expecting a Olivia Hayle book to be but if you do like this plot I will suggest you to read it but you will be confused since it jumps between pass and present.
I normally love Olivia Hayle Books however this was pretty disappointing in my option because it definitely was not written like the other books she wrote. This book was confusing to read since it went back and forth from present to the pass in the beginning of this book. I honestly think it should have been written in the past at first then transfer to the present because it wouldn’t have been confusing and it would have not showed just his pass decisions it would have showed hers and the relationship they had together in the beginning and the relationship he had with her brothers more in depth then just a glimpse. tbh this wasn’t my first choice in this series to the read it actually was ice cold boss and since that next I am definitely going to read that because I really want to but other then that I would not recommend this book because wasn’t what I was expecting a Olivia Hayle book to be but if you do like this plot I will suggest you to read it but you will be confused since it jumps between pass and present.
July 30, 2023
„Du kannst nicht einfach zehn Jahre lang verschwinden und dann hier plötzlich auftauchen und Dinge reparieren.“
(Lilly zu Hayden in Charming Rogue)
Worum geht’s?
Hayden Cole war der Bad Boy der Stadt und der beste Freund meines Bruders. Als ich etwas mit ihm anfing, war niemand wirklich glücklich darüber. Doch das war mir egal, denn wir liebten uns. Plötzlich verließ er ohne ein Wort die Stadt und brach mir mein Herz. Ich wollte ihn nie, nie wieder sehen. Und jetzt, 10 Jahre, später steht er vor mir. Genauso sexy wie früher. Und er will mich zurück …
Charming Rogue ist Band 1 der The Paradise Brothers Reihe. Die Geschichte ist in sich geschlossen.
Schreibstil und inhaltliche Hinweise
Das Buch wird durch Hayden und Lily in der Ich-Perspektive und auf zwei Zeitebenen (vor x Jahren und Gegenwart) erzählt.
Meine Meinung
Eigentlich bin ich ja gar kein Fan von Büchern, deren Cover von (halbnackten) Männern geziert werden. Reduziert für mich das Buch immer ein bisschen zu sehr. Bei Charming Rogue habe ich aber eine Ausnahme gemacht, einfach weil ich Second Chances Lovestorys sehr mag. Doch leider wollte mich das Buch nicht begeistern.
Es fängt damit an, dass ich an diesem wirklich nicht gerade dicken Buch überraschend lange gelesen habe, nämlich gut über einen Monat. Ich bin ein schneller Leser, der gern mal ein Buch in 3 Stunden wegsuchtet – wenn es mich denn abholen kann. Und das war hier irgendwie das Problem. Die Geschichte handelt um Lily und Hayden, sie das Mädchen aus gutem Haus, er der arme Junge ohne wirkliche Familie, der von Lilys Familie regelrecht aufgenommen wird. Als bester Freund von Lilys Brüder, als guter Freund für Lily und dann auch als ihre erste richtige Liebe. Die Gegenwart des Buches spielt 10 Jahre später, Hayden ist nun ein Mann, Lily eine Frau. Er war bei der Navy, hat viel erlebt. Sie wirkt immer noch ein wenig planlos und geht einer Tätigkeit nach, die ihr so mittelmäßig Freude bereitet. Von Anfang an kam Lily mir jünger vor als sie ist, naiver und planloser, als sie wohl sein wollte. Und irgendwie flach, langweilig und zu künstlich. Das sind Attribute, die selten gut sind. Hayden hingegen wirkt ebenfalls wahnsinnig blass, nur wenige Facetten sind bei ihm hervorgehoben und diese waren für mich primär unwichtige Eigenschaften. So spürte ich von Anfang an keine wirkliche Verbindung zu den Charakteren, die mir in Rückblenden erzählen, wie sie als Kinder miteinander spielten, als Jugendliche miteinander rummachten und nun als Erwachsen miteinander Probleme haben.
Für mich ist das größte Problem des Buches das ständige Drumherumreden. Lange wird angeteasert, was Lily und Hayden für ein Problem – oder Erlebnis – miteinander haben. Aber lange wird es nicht offengelegt. In den Rückblenden wird ausführlich dargelegt, wie sehr Hayden Lily anschmachtet, in der Gegenwart haben die beiden aber so viel Chemie miteinander, dass gar kein einziger Funke bei mir ankam. Die Dialoge sind teilweise anstrengend, gewollt passiv-aggressiv und mir fehlte einfach etwas Greifbares, was die Charaktere und die Geschichte ausmachte. Wieso ist Hayden zurückgekommen, wieso verzeihen alle außer Lily seinen Abgang, welche Rolle spielte die Familie dabei? Es sind so viele Fragen und Gedanken, die hier keinen Raum finden. Die wenigen Aspekte, die aufkommen, waren vorhersehbar oder zum Teil zäh und erklärungsbedürftig. Es gibt viele Dialoge mit Dritten, bei denen ich mit tausend Namen durcheinander gekommen bin, wo ich die Verbindungen teils gar nicht greifen konnte und vor allem die Relevanz mir nicht immer klar wurde. Die Geschichte zog sich für mich, was immer wieder dazu führte, dass ich gar kein Bedürfnis hatte, weiterzulesen. Nach wenigen Kapiteln war jedes Mal Schluss und ich las wann anders weiter, stets in der Hoffnung, dass noch etwas kommt.
Ich möchte dem Buch nicht absprechen, dass es eine schöne Geschichte ist, das definitiv. Auch die zwei Zeitebenen haben viele Vorteile für sich. Die Autorin schreibt angenehm. Aber mir hat etwas gefehlt, was mich festhalten und für das Buch begeistern kann. Ich hatte gehofft, dass etwa die Geschichte um Lilys Bein soetwas sein könnte, aber leider war auch dies nicht der Fall. Im Gegenteil warf die Auflösung und die damit verbundenen Enthüllungen nur noch mehr Fragen auf, inwieweit ich beide als Pärchen wirklich mag. Am Ende war ich leider dann irgendwie einfach froh, dass das Buch durch ist.
Mein Fazit
Charming Rogue konnte mich leider mit der seichten Geschichte, den blassen Charakteren und dem vielen Drumherum nicht abholen. Ein vorhersehbares Buch, was man zwischendurch sicher gut weglesen kann, aber was mir jetzt auch nicht sonderlich doll in Erinnerung bleiben wird.
[Diese Rezension basiert auf einem vom Verlag oder vom Autor überlassenen Rezensionsexemplar. Meine Meinung wurde hiervon nicht beeinflusst.]
(Lilly zu Hayden in Charming Rogue)
Worum geht’s?
Hayden Cole war der Bad Boy der Stadt und der beste Freund meines Bruders. Als ich etwas mit ihm anfing, war niemand wirklich glücklich darüber. Doch das war mir egal, denn wir liebten uns. Plötzlich verließ er ohne ein Wort die Stadt und brach mir mein Herz. Ich wollte ihn nie, nie wieder sehen. Und jetzt, 10 Jahre, später steht er vor mir. Genauso sexy wie früher. Und er will mich zurück …
Charming Rogue ist Band 1 der The Paradise Brothers Reihe. Die Geschichte ist in sich geschlossen.
Schreibstil und inhaltliche Hinweise
Das Buch wird durch Hayden und Lily in der Ich-Perspektive und auf zwei Zeitebenen (vor x Jahren und Gegenwart) erzählt.
Meine Meinung
Eigentlich bin ich ja gar kein Fan von Büchern, deren Cover von (halbnackten) Männern geziert werden. Reduziert für mich das Buch immer ein bisschen zu sehr. Bei Charming Rogue habe ich aber eine Ausnahme gemacht, einfach weil ich Second Chances Lovestorys sehr mag. Doch leider wollte mich das Buch nicht begeistern.
Es fängt damit an, dass ich an diesem wirklich nicht gerade dicken Buch überraschend lange gelesen habe, nämlich gut über einen Monat. Ich bin ein schneller Leser, der gern mal ein Buch in 3 Stunden wegsuchtet – wenn es mich denn abholen kann. Und das war hier irgendwie das Problem. Die Geschichte handelt um Lily und Hayden, sie das Mädchen aus gutem Haus, er der arme Junge ohne wirkliche Familie, der von Lilys Familie regelrecht aufgenommen wird. Als bester Freund von Lilys Brüder, als guter Freund für Lily und dann auch als ihre erste richtige Liebe. Die Gegenwart des Buches spielt 10 Jahre später, Hayden ist nun ein Mann, Lily eine Frau. Er war bei der Navy, hat viel erlebt. Sie wirkt immer noch ein wenig planlos und geht einer Tätigkeit nach, die ihr so mittelmäßig Freude bereitet. Von Anfang an kam Lily mir jünger vor als sie ist, naiver und planloser, als sie wohl sein wollte. Und irgendwie flach, langweilig und zu künstlich. Das sind Attribute, die selten gut sind. Hayden hingegen wirkt ebenfalls wahnsinnig blass, nur wenige Facetten sind bei ihm hervorgehoben und diese waren für mich primär unwichtige Eigenschaften. So spürte ich von Anfang an keine wirkliche Verbindung zu den Charakteren, die mir in Rückblenden erzählen, wie sie als Kinder miteinander spielten, als Jugendliche miteinander rummachten und nun als Erwachsen miteinander Probleme haben.
Für mich ist das größte Problem des Buches das ständige Drumherumreden. Lange wird angeteasert, was Lily und Hayden für ein Problem – oder Erlebnis – miteinander haben. Aber lange wird es nicht offengelegt. In den Rückblenden wird ausführlich dargelegt, wie sehr Hayden Lily anschmachtet, in der Gegenwart haben die beiden aber so viel Chemie miteinander, dass gar kein einziger Funke bei mir ankam. Die Dialoge sind teilweise anstrengend, gewollt passiv-aggressiv und mir fehlte einfach etwas Greifbares, was die Charaktere und die Geschichte ausmachte. Wieso ist Hayden zurückgekommen, wieso verzeihen alle außer Lily seinen Abgang, welche Rolle spielte die Familie dabei? Es sind so viele Fragen und Gedanken, die hier keinen Raum finden. Die wenigen Aspekte, die aufkommen, waren vorhersehbar oder zum Teil zäh und erklärungsbedürftig. Es gibt viele Dialoge mit Dritten, bei denen ich mit tausend Namen durcheinander gekommen bin, wo ich die Verbindungen teils gar nicht greifen konnte und vor allem die Relevanz mir nicht immer klar wurde. Die Geschichte zog sich für mich, was immer wieder dazu führte, dass ich gar kein Bedürfnis hatte, weiterzulesen. Nach wenigen Kapiteln war jedes Mal Schluss und ich las wann anders weiter, stets in der Hoffnung, dass noch etwas kommt.
Ich möchte dem Buch nicht absprechen, dass es eine schöne Geschichte ist, das definitiv. Auch die zwei Zeitebenen haben viele Vorteile für sich. Die Autorin schreibt angenehm. Aber mir hat etwas gefehlt, was mich festhalten und für das Buch begeistern kann. Ich hatte gehofft, dass etwa die Geschichte um Lilys Bein soetwas sein könnte, aber leider war auch dies nicht der Fall. Im Gegenteil warf die Auflösung und die damit verbundenen Enthüllungen nur noch mehr Fragen auf, inwieweit ich beide als Pärchen wirklich mag. Am Ende war ich leider dann irgendwie einfach froh, dass das Buch durch ist.
Mein Fazit
Charming Rogue konnte mich leider mit der seichten Geschichte, den blassen Charakteren und dem vielen Drumherum nicht abholen. Ein vorhersehbares Buch, was man zwischendurch sicher gut weglesen kann, aber was mir jetzt auch nicht sonderlich doll in Erinnerung bleiben wird.
[Diese Rezension basiert auf einem vom Verlag oder vom Autor überlassenen Rezensionsexemplar. Meine Meinung wurde hiervon nicht beeinflusst.]
May 10, 2020
An excellent novel. This is such a great read, spanning the lives of Lily and Hayden and their families for over 10 years. Our protagonists met when they were children and the friendship, loyalty, soul mate kind of love protective instincts that developed between them was a joy to read. As one would expect, adult kind of love develops by the time they are 18. Haydon’s insecurities weigh heavily on his personality and actions. Lily’s family is the elite of the town, so Hay understandably feels ‘not quite good enough’. Following a bad car accident involving our young couple, Hayden is practically forced to leave, abandoning Lily in the hands of her parents who both had a hand in separating the young lovers. Lily’s and Hayden’s pain and loneliness is described beautifully throughout the book. The entire novel is structured well, with very good use of the language and mood. Good editing enhanced the experience. All the characters were well developed and described, the tension points were well spaced out and the pace of the storyline ensured continued interest. Hayden returns 10 years later, ‘’having made something of himself’’. His changed social standing was certainly not for Lily’s benefit, for the girl never cared about status or possessions, but rather, that he would gain more acceptance with her parents making not so much his, but her life easier. There are so many layers to Lily’s anger and pain, and Hayden’s multitude of emotions, pain, regret, and guilt. They are however reunited in their desperate longing for one another. The novel has a few steamy scenes but at no time is it vulgar. I loved this book that successfully manages to deal with forgiveness and the triumph of love over anger and pain.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 26, 2020
This is the first Olivia Hale book that I have read but I hope it won't be the last. This is a beautiful story of two people from different sides of the track who fall in love.
Hayden is the son of a drunken, abusive father whose mother had died and Lily was the cosseted daughter of a very wealthy property developer.
Hayden is rescued from his father's clutches by his uncle Gary, his mother's brother, who was to become much more of a father to him than his own father ever was.
Gary has secured a position as a groundsman for the Marchand's, Lily's family, and they were to live in the family's beach house.
Hayden and Rhys, Parker and Henry, Lily's brothers grew up together and became more like brothers but Hayden always knew his place. There was however a closer bond between Hayden and Lily which changed from friendship into love.
When Hayden, then eighteen, ups and leaves Paradise Shores without a word he leaves Lily devastated.
Ten years later Hayden returns, he has reached a high rank in the navy and set up a successful security company.
I won't spoil the story by revealing why Hayden made such a rapid departure, needless to say, it has a great bearing on the outcome.
The author has cleverly written about two eras, a decade apart, without it becoming complicated. The story follows the all encompassing love of Lily and Hayden, the friendship of the brothers, the love of his uncle,the way Lily's parents gave Hayden so much whilst making sure that he knew his place and Turner the boy who had always fancied Lily and was now her boss.
When Hayden returned he was a different person and he was ready to fight for what he wanted.
This is a book full of love, anger and emotion, a beautiful story of a couple fighting inequality to be together.
Hayden is the son of a drunken, abusive father whose mother had died and Lily was the cosseted daughter of a very wealthy property developer.
Hayden is rescued from his father's clutches by his uncle Gary, his mother's brother, who was to become much more of a father to him than his own father ever was.
Gary has secured a position as a groundsman for the Marchand's, Lily's family, and they were to live in the family's beach house.
Hayden and Rhys, Parker and Henry, Lily's brothers grew up together and became more like brothers but Hayden always knew his place. There was however a closer bond between Hayden and Lily which changed from friendship into love.
When Hayden, then eighteen, ups and leaves Paradise Shores without a word he leaves Lily devastated.
Ten years later Hayden returns, he has reached a high rank in the navy and set up a successful security company.
I won't spoil the story by revealing why Hayden made such a rapid departure, needless to say, it has a great bearing on the outcome.
The author has cleverly written about two eras, a decade apart, without it becoming complicated. The story follows the all encompassing love of Lily and Hayden, the friendship of the brothers, the love of his uncle,the way Lily's parents gave Hayden so much whilst making sure that he knew his place and Turner the boy who had always fancied Lily and was now her boss.
When Hayden returned he was a different person and he was ready to fight for what he wanted.
This is a book full of love, anger and emotion, a beautiful story of a couple fighting inequality to be together.
July 24, 2022
A second chance romance story for a love that has lasted through time
Content warnings - off page Domestic Violence, off page physical child abuse, car accidents and off page death of a parent.
I love this book. Olivia Hayle never lets me down. She writes contemporary romance with light angst and often lots of drama.
In this book, we get the story of Lily and Hayden.
They meet when Hayden moves in with Lily’s wealthy family as the nephew of the new grounds-keeper. It’s not love at first sight but they are always drawn together. When the teenage hormones hit, their relationship changes to a romantic one. But it’s always secret, always in the dark. Hayden is her brothers friend and also the groundskeepers ward- no one would have approved.
When Lily is hurt in a car accident in which Hayden is the driver, he runs off in the night. Or at least, that it what it seems…
Fast forward in time and Hayden is back. He’s made something of himself and now he wants Lily back. But is it that simple?
This story is one which is told from two timelines; the past and the present. I really enjoyed the way we read the development of their childhood romance alongside the development of their adult one. It gave it such a greater emotional depth.
Hayden and Lily are lovely characters. Lily is a strong, independent woman who loves with her whole heart. Once she is in, she is all in and I adored her as a character. Hayden is a product of his upbringing. He suffered significant violence at the hands of his father and so he feels unworthy of her and that he constantly has something to prove. But, he comes back to try to win Lily for keeps and he does that well.
This is the start of a new series and I will be reading more!
Content warnings - off page Domestic Violence, off page physical child abuse, car accidents and off page death of a parent.
I love this book. Olivia Hayle never lets me down. She writes contemporary romance with light angst and often lots of drama.
In this book, we get the story of Lily and Hayden.
They meet when Hayden moves in with Lily’s wealthy family as the nephew of the new grounds-keeper. It’s not love at first sight but they are always drawn together. When the teenage hormones hit, their relationship changes to a romantic one. But it’s always secret, always in the dark. Hayden is her brothers friend and also the groundskeepers ward- no one would have approved.
When Lily is hurt in a car accident in which Hayden is the driver, he runs off in the night. Or at least, that it what it seems…
Fast forward in time and Hayden is back. He’s made something of himself and now he wants Lily back. But is it that simple?
This story is one which is told from two timelines; the past and the present. I really enjoyed the way we read the development of their childhood romance alongside the development of their adult one. It gave it such a greater emotional depth.
Hayden and Lily are lovely characters. Lily is a strong, independent woman who loves with her whole heart. Once she is in, she is all in and I adored her as a character. Hayden is a product of his upbringing. He suffered significant violence at the hands of his father and so he feels unworthy of her and that he constantly has something to prove. But, he comes back to try to win Lily for keeps and he does that well.
This is the start of a new series and I will be reading more!
June 17, 2023
Als erstes ist mir dieses Cover aufgefallen – kein Wunder, der stechende Blick dieses Typs ist schon sehr einnehmend… 😉 Aber die Namen der Sprecherin und des Sprechers, die kannte ich bereits von anderen Hörbüchern, so dass ich dann ein bisschen genauer gelesen habe, um was es geht.
Von der Autorin, Olivia Hayle, hatte ich bisher noch nie etwas gehört oder gelesen, daher wusste ich nicht was mich erwarten würde. Aber wie gesagt, die Stimmen der Sprecher und die Annotation haben geklungen, als ob es ähnlich sein könnte wie die Storys von Abby Brooks oder Claire Kingsley. Und mit denen hatte ich bereits gute Erfahrungen gemacht – die aufbau Audio Versionen haben mir jedenfalls immer gefallen.
»Charmin rogue« ist der erste Teil einer Reihe – jede/jeder der Geschwister hat eine eigene Story. Den Anfang macht Lilly. Es dreht sich alles um die Jugendliebe zu Hayden, der nach vielen Jahren bei der Navi aus dem Nichts wieder in dem beschaulichen Ort seiner Kindheit auftaucht und Lillys Leben komplett über den Haufen wirft. Lilly, die vermeintlich ihr gebrochenes Herz wieder zusammen geflickt, aber Hayden nicht vergessen hat.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und das Hörbuch lässt sich zügig hören. Was sicher auch mit den Stimmen von Ella Rifka und Matti Kirsch zusammenhängt. Die haben nämlich perfekt zu den beiden Protas gepasst.
Das Rad wurde hier nicht neu erfunden, aber es war eine solide Lovestory, die ich sehr gerne gehört habe. Jetzt bin ich auf die weiteren Geschwister und deren Geschichten gespannt.
Von der Autorin, Olivia Hayle, hatte ich bisher noch nie etwas gehört oder gelesen, daher wusste ich nicht was mich erwarten würde. Aber wie gesagt, die Stimmen der Sprecher und die Annotation haben geklungen, als ob es ähnlich sein könnte wie die Storys von Abby Brooks oder Claire Kingsley. Und mit denen hatte ich bereits gute Erfahrungen gemacht – die aufbau Audio Versionen haben mir jedenfalls immer gefallen.
»Charmin rogue« ist der erste Teil einer Reihe – jede/jeder der Geschwister hat eine eigene Story. Den Anfang macht Lilly. Es dreht sich alles um die Jugendliebe zu Hayden, der nach vielen Jahren bei der Navi aus dem Nichts wieder in dem beschaulichen Ort seiner Kindheit auftaucht und Lillys Leben komplett über den Haufen wirft. Lilly, die vermeintlich ihr gebrochenes Herz wieder zusammen geflickt, aber Hayden nicht vergessen hat.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und das Hörbuch lässt sich zügig hören. Was sicher auch mit den Stimmen von Ella Rifka und Matti Kirsch zusammenhängt. Die haben nämlich perfekt zu den beiden Protas gepasst.
Das Rad wurde hier nicht neu erfunden, aber es war eine solide Lovestory, die ich sehr gerne gehört habe. Jetzt bin ich auf die weiteren Geschwister und deren Geschichten gespannt.
May 20, 2020
This book is a combination of two of my favorite types of romance. Second chance and the brother's best friend romance. I thought the story between Lily and Hayden was very sweet and I really enjoyed how the author alternated between not only both of their perspectives but also showed us a look into their past. Lily loved Hayden almost from day 1 and that love grew until they were in a car accident when she was 18. Without telling anyone goodbye Hayden joined the military and is now returning to the town he called home with his uncle 10 years later. I really enjoyed seeing how much Hayden had grown from his younger years but I still got a feeling that he did not feel like he belonged in Paradise Shores. I think this book as a whole gave us a look into the difference in classes and how sometimes parents do not believe that someone from the wrong side of the tracks is good enough for their child.
I did feel that there could have been a bit more to this story. I feel like when we got to the present days they very quickly jumped back together and there was not enough angst or content to their relationship building. Overall this was a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I did feel that there could have been a bit more to this story. I feel like when we got to the present days they very quickly jumped back together and there was not enough angst or content to their relationship building. Overall this was a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
June 13, 2023
„Dark Eyed Devil“ wurde von Olivia Hayle geschrieben. Es handelt sich dabei um den ersten Band der The Paradise Brothers-Reihe. Die einzelnen Bände können unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden. In diesem Band wird die Geschichte von Hayden und Lily.
Der Schreibstil ist locker und flüssig gehalten, wodurch ich der Handlung problemlos folgen konnte. Erzählt wird dabei aus den Perspektiven von Hayden und Lily.
Beide Charaktere waren mir von Anfang an sympathisch, was sich auch im Verlauf der Geschichte nicht geändert hat. Man begleitet sie nicht nur in der Gegenwart, sondern auch in der Vergangenheit. Wie sie sich in jungen Jahren kennengelernt haben. Zu guten Freunden herangewachsen sind und sich mehr zwischen ihnen entwickelt hat. Aber auch, wie die Liebe in die Brüche ging und Hayden aus Lilys Leben verschwand. Es war spannend dahinterzukommen, was zum Bruch geführt hat.
Hayden hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, Lily um eine zweite Chance zu bitten. Dabei muss er sich anstrengen. Ich fand es schön zu sehen, dass er es nicht auf die leichte Schulter genommen und Lily ihn etwas zappeln lassen hat. Was mir besonders gefallen hat, war das Lily mit der Unterstützung von Hayden mutig genug wurde, ihre Träume und Wünsche wahr werden zu lassen. Eine schöne und leichte Geschichte, die mich gut unterhalten konnte.
Der Schreibstil ist locker und flüssig gehalten, wodurch ich der Handlung problemlos folgen konnte. Erzählt wird dabei aus den Perspektiven von Hayden und Lily.
Beide Charaktere waren mir von Anfang an sympathisch, was sich auch im Verlauf der Geschichte nicht geändert hat. Man begleitet sie nicht nur in der Gegenwart, sondern auch in der Vergangenheit. Wie sie sich in jungen Jahren kennengelernt haben. Zu guten Freunden herangewachsen sind und sich mehr zwischen ihnen entwickelt hat. Aber auch, wie die Liebe in die Brüche ging und Hayden aus Lilys Leben verschwand. Es war spannend dahinterzukommen, was zum Bruch geführt hat.
Hayden hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, Lily um eine zweite Chance zu bitten. Dabei muss er sich anstrengen. Ich fand es schön zu sehen, dass er es nicht auf die leichte Schulter genommen und Lily ihn etwas zappeln lassen hat. Was mir besonders gefallen hat, war das Lily mit der Unterstützung von Hayden mutig genug wurde, ihre Träume und Wünsche wahr werden zu lassen. Eine schöne und leichte Geschichte, die mich gut unterhalten konnte.
April 23, 2020
Loved absolutely everything about this book! The whole feel of the story was just great. Passionate and mature characters; I’m so ready for the stories of all the side characters. The connection between Hayden and Lily is so amazing; this is the type of second chance love story I adore. Sexy and sweet; I could feel the deep love they have for each other. Lily and Hayden have know each other since they were kids (around 11 years old) when he and his uncle (uncle is going to be the handyman) move onto Lily’s family’s property. As the years progress, love has grown between them, but some things get in the way and they end up separated for 10 years. There’s some of the rich girl, poor boy taboo going on. This story has present scenes, but also has some past scenes from when they were kids (from ages 11 to 18). I don’t usually care for flashback chapters, but they totally worked with this story. I also loved that this is dual POV; it really gets the depth of feeling across being in both Hayden and Lily’s heads. So, yeah, loved it all. Sooooo looking forward to the next book!! Hayle is a new author for me, so it’s super great to find a new author to love! I hope it holds true with all Hayle’s books.
July 27, 2020
Lily was from a rich family and Hayden the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. His uncle worked for her family and he went to school with them and became friends with her brothers. He tried keeping his distance from her as they got older but their feelings won out even when he knew he was not good enough for her. Until the night they got in a car accident which left Lily seriously injured. Next thing she knew Hayden was gone, without a word, leaving her heartbroken. Until ten years later when he returned to town, finding Lily still as beautiful and intoxicating as before. But he was not the boy from before, the years away, being in the Navy, made a man out of him, someone who can hold his own. Will Lily be able to forgive him and will he be able to forgive himself for leaving her years ago, will he recognize his own worth? This is a story of young love, of sacrifices made for the one you love, of self doubt and self preservation, but also of survival and forgiveness. Well written and a page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
November 27, 2023Minor problems with this story that have to be over looked to enjoy.
Overall it's a good story only minor problems with the story. First missing words that the reader had to assume is the writers meaning. Then, the writer uses the navy as the excuse for Hayden being gone so long. Where the problem arises is in the writer has the character going off to boot camp which is for enlisted, then being a lieutenant in ten years. Which is just not possible. If he had gone to the Naval Academy, or gone to college while participating in ROTC then maybe he could have made lieutenant. But to go from enlisted to officer and make lieutenant is just not possible.
Then while the story of the character being on a cruiser in the Bering sea is possible. As I read the story I came away with the impression that the writer was saying that the character was in command of the cruiser. If I'm correct in the way I read the passage, the the writer would be wrong in the storytelling. This is because a cruiser would not be commanded by a lieutenant, but more likely a commander. Who is two ranks above a lieutenant.
Overall it's a good story only minor problems with the story. First missing words that the reader had to assume is the writers meaning. Then, the writer uses the navy as the excuse for Hayden being gone so long. Where the problem arises is in the writer has the character going off to boot camp which is for enlisted, then being a lieutenant in ten years. Which is just not possible. If he had gone to the Naval Academy, or gone to college while participating in ROTC then maybe he could have made lieutenant. But to go from enlisted to officer and make lieutenant is just not possible.
Then while the story of the character being on a cruiser in the Bering sea is possible. As I read the story I came away with the impression that the writer was saying that the character was in command of the cruiser. If I'm correct in the way I read the passage, the the writer would be wrong in the storytelling. This is because a cruiser would not be commanded by a lieutenant, but more likely a commander. Who is two ranks above a lieutenant.
June 2, 2020
I liked how Hayden had grown in the decade he’d been gone and how Lily had come into her own with confidence.
Her brothers were peripheral characters I wish interacted more, though Lily has a close relationship with her brother Rhys, it’s Parker who’s featured more as they age.
The back and forth between past and present became tedious, I think their history could have been summed up in a prologue. It didn’t make the story flow or help me to immerse myself fully into their world.
The plot was slightly predictable, from the circumstances behind Hayden’s departure to their re-meet and other interactions.
But the dynamic between Hayden and Lily, when they didn’t let the past sit in between them, was witty and cheeky.
Rogue is a cute story of two kids from different sides of the proverbial track thrust together through life and who grow into good people. Enter the notorious spanner-in-the-works leading to time apart that gently sets up their second chance, truths revealed, nicely.
I received a free copy of this from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Her brothers were peripheral characters I wish interacted more, though Lily has a close relationship with her brother Rhys, it’s Parker who’s featured more as they age.
The back and forth between past and present became tedious, I think their history could have been summed up in a prologue. It didn’t make the story flow or help me to immerse myself fully into their world.
The plot was slightly predictable, from the circumstances behind Hayden’s departure to their re-meet and other interactions.
But the dynamic between Hayden and Lily, when they didn’t let the past sit in between them, was witty and cheeky.
Rogue is a cute story of two kids from different sides of the proverbial track thrust together through life and who grow into good people. Enter the notorious spanner-in-the-works leading to time apart that gently sets up their second chance, truths revealed, nicely.
I received a free copy of this from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2023
"Charming Rogue" ist der erste Teil der "The Paradise Brothers" Reihe. Jeder Teil kann vollkommen unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden, jede Geschichte ist abgeschlossen. Trotzdem wird es bestimmt ein Wiedersehen geben.
Als ich das Cover zum ersten Mal in den sozialen Medien gesehen habe, war ich sofort von diesem tollen Mann fasziniert. Ich musste mir einfach näher anschauen was dahintersteckt. Als ich den Klapptext gelesen habe, stand für mich fest, das ich dieses Buch unbedingt lesen muss. Ich habe mich dann allerdings doch für das Hörbuch entschieden und diese Entscheidung habe ich auch nicht eine Sekunde lang bereut. Der männliche und weibliche Part wurden dementsprechend von zwei Sprechern gelesen. Und die Beiden haben einen wunderbaren Job gemacht. Das Zuhören hat mir wirklich sehr viel Spaß gemacht.
Das Setting hat mir sehr gut gefallen und auch die Protagonisten haben auf Anhieb mein Herz erobert. Was mir auch besonders gut dabei gefallen hat, das auch die Vergangenheit der Beiden hier eine große Rolle spielt und das diese hier auch erzählt wird. So lernt man Beide gleich gut kenne und weiß auch warum sie reagieren wie sie halt reagieren und was so alles passiert ist. Ach ja, ich konnte teilweise gar nicht so schnell zuhören wie ich wissen wollte was passiert.
Der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Er ist flüssig, locker und leicht. Ich freue mich schon darauf auch die nächsten der Paradise Brother näher kennenzulernen. Dankeschön das ich es hören durfte.
Lily kann es nicht glauben das Hayden wieder da ist, der Mann der ihr vor 10 Jahren das Herz gebrochen hat, als er ohne eine Nachricht einfach verschwunden ist...
Als ich das Cover zum ersten Mal in den sozialen Medien gesehen habe, war ich sofort von diesem tollen Mann fasziniert. Ich musste mir einfach näher anschauen was dahintersteckt. Als ich den Klapptext gelesen habe, stand für mich fest, das ich dieses Buch unbedingt lesen muss. Ich habe mich dann allerdings doch für das Hörbuch entschieden und diese Entscheidung habe ich auch nicht eine Sekunde lang bereut. Der männliche und weibliche Part wurden dementsprechend von zwei Sprechern gelesen. Und die Beiden haben einen wunderbaren Job gemacht. Das Zuhören hat mir wirklich sehr viel Spaß gemacht.
Das Setting hat mir sehr gut gefallen und auch die Protagonisten haben auf Anhieb mein Herz erobert. Was mir auch besonders gut dabei gefallen hat, das auch die Vergangenheit der Beiden hier eine große Rolle spielt und das diese hier auch erzählt wird. So lernt man Beide gleich gut kenne und weiß auch warum sie reagieren wie sie halt reagieren und was so alles passiert ist. Ach ja, ich konnte teilweise gar nicht so schnell zuhören wie ich wissen wollte was passiert.
Der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Er ist flüssig, locker und leicht. Ich freue mich schon darauf auch die nächsten der Paradise Brother näher kennenzulernen. Dankeschön das ich es hören durfte.
Lily kann es nicht glauben das Hayden wieder da ist, der Mann der ihr vor 10 Jahren das Herz gebrochen hat, als er ohne eine Nachricht einfach verschwunden ist...
May 1, 2020
This is a Beautiful love story which starts between Hayden and Olivia when they were just children. You can feel the chemistry between these characters as they grow into teenagers.....you can see how their love grows with them. I don't like to give spoilers away in my reviews but what i will say is that an incident happens and things change between them...... years pass and Olivia tries to move on, but feels lost and broken without Hayden only for one day for Hayden to return. You really feel the emotion in this book, you can sense the feelings and understand why decisions were made they way they were! I loved these characters and would love to read more on some of Olivia's brothers, so i'm hoping we get some further books on these characters. Highly recommend this author and this book, i will certainly be reading more from this author.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review.
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